The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-15
ASSEEN BY A WARY TEXAN.
CAPT. z. d. ARTHUR'S CRITICISM OF
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
A City Desirable Only for Those in Of
fee or the Person Wen Supplied
with Moral Courage and Fine
Stock OF Common Sense.

fee or the Person Wen Supplied
with Moral Courage and Fine
Stock OF Common Sense.
In the Peabody hotel yesterday IN Ar
PEAL representative met most accom-
plished Texas politician, Capt. u. ID.
Arthur, from the southwestern portion OF
that empire State, who was en- route home
from two or three weeks sojoun at the
national capital His stay in Memphis, in
consequence Of train schedules, was lin
tied TO but few hours, but his OBJ
servant, and, as one might say "curious
propensites," carried him over the city
and furnished him with, at least, fine
bird's-eye view OF the southern metropolis.
Capt. Arthur, in the dark days that tried
mems souls, was one OF the defenders OF
the lost cause who saw much OF Memphis,
and experienced no little campaigning in
the Mississippi valley Trade and COM
mcrcc excited no ones curiosity then.
Natural commercial advantages were lost
sight Of in the calculation OF purely mill
tary and strategic superiority, and, in COM
Capt Arthur, in the crucial war period,
only looked upon and afterward rcmem-
bered Memphis AS magnificent strategic
point
Yesterday, after the. lapse Of twenty
yeas, he saw the Bluff City with its team
ing population, It's vast business, its metro.
poitan and commercial superiority, its
almost magic development, patent even TO
l.n L.. laN
lie was astoundcd. In Texas, he remarked,
1t was common 10 imagine that Dallas was
more rapidly outstripping all rivals in sub
s,antial development than any other city
in the south or southwest, but he was
compelled 10 admit that Memphis led the
"New South" Capt. Arthur has been
close observer Of southern progress and
politics, Of both the development of the
intellectual and physical side OF southern
life and interest for ten years past. lie
has been prominent in southwestern Dem
otfatic councils for some time and is espe-
cially familiar with national questions.
what is the present status and future
outlook OF aiiairs generally in Washing
ton2' was asked.
''Tho present status means such n clamor
for position as has hardly been paralleled.
enyied. The large influx of new men,
bers causes an equally large pressure for
place OF new subaltcrns, their constituents,
and the poor incumbcnts hardly know
which way 10 look or turn. The greatest
trouble must be met by the new door
keeper, Mr.. Hurt, of Mississippi. Ills
patronage il larger than any other officer
in Congress, and bcinga new man himself,
40 Ia sI no
anxious and green enough 10 suppose that
their mercst requests must be needed, il
will require adruit manipulation on his
part TO retain his popularity, and please
even small minority"
GLOW did the Tcnnessce candidate get
10 badly bcatcn2'
Capt Donelson is apopular and compe-
tent gentleman, and don't think that the
charges against him were the chief con-
tributors To his defeat. In the last Con-
gross no man had moro friends than Sam
Donclson, but by nm unfortunate decree Of
tate his very nearest supporters some Of
them among the most influential in the
House -werc left at home last election"
what of general legislation do you an
ticipa,c7"
"Wcll, Il Is difficult 10 say. Iapprehcnd,
| however, that some tariff legislation must
result, and possibly the discussion Of that
question will dwarf all others. Things arc
pretty well mixed. IL may DO said, +"
laughingly remarked the captain.
"What is thought of the Tennessee dele
gation2' WIS asked.
"Wcll, that is homo thrust. In all
| honesty, however, Tennessee is univer-
sally admitted in Washington 10 be- most
admirably equipped, both in the Senate
and House"
"And of Washington, what7''
| Washington continues 10 grow and
flourish ~ the green hay tree and the
wicked are supposed 10 10. In n season
like the present II Is doubtful II any
capital on earth furnishes such variety
Of life as our national capital. II Is III
once and altogether the home Of intellect
Of patriotism, Of distinction, Of intrigue, o.
corruption and Of hope bounding sky higl
and despair sinking below the surface even
Of human recognition. The statesmen
the outside politician, the lobbyist, IN,
machine clerks, the adventures, gamblers
sight-sccH, the high and lowly-all NEE
and minglc ON its broad streets an,
avenues, and IN the rotnndas Of its hotels
and In the corridono Of itscnpitol and depart
mcnts. aud constitute IL one vast an,
I modern Babylon, and, from its assortmcn
OF nalionalities and tongues almost
} modern Babel. just want 10 say TO you
young man, Washington, except 20 a ma
in good, and, may say, high official posi-
ton, is an excellent place TO stay ava
iTum."
How is the poker game ihoo nov
! captain Y''
+. "Ioung man, you shock me. Ho,
should | know am a Texan" and IN
! captain jcrkcd his head In an ominou
manner and suspicious dirrCtion-a mnr
. ncr and direction that in early life, on
= before his connection with the press, th
o reporter had been taught TO recognize q
= the material equivalent Of: Lets tax
, something, and say no more"
, Capt. Arthur left for his far soulhcr
= homo last evening
Cool Weather q. Coming.